PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Big in England.
But the question is whether Sven-Göran Eriksson was even greater in Italy?
– In large parts of Rome, “Svennis” is completely unthreatened, no one is bigger, says the Italian journalist Tancredi Palmeri.
Much of the attention after Svennis demise ends up in his time in England. In 2001, he became the first foreign captain of the men’s national team, and thus also one of the country’s most talked about people.
Svenni’s greatness
Superstars like David Beckham, Wayne Rooney and John Terry everyone has praised Torsbysonen. But the question is whether his status in Italy is not even a little higher.
– I would say that anyway, says the Italian football journalist Tancredi Palmeri.
In 1984, a 36-year-old Eriksson arrived at Roma and Serie A. And after 16 years as a coach for some of the country’s most respected players of all time, he is a legend in Italy.
The article continues below.
Legendary centre-back Alessandro Nesta couldn’t hold back the tears when he talked about “Mister” in SVT’s documentary about Svennis.
– When I was young, I was quite hot. He taught me to treat others well, because when he treated me well, I gave my best, said a tearful Nesta.
The reputation in Italy
But it was not a success from the start. Svennis had a completely different reputation after his first years in Italy than when he left the country 16 years later.
– There was an undeserved reputation that Svennis was a big loser because he had lost the title late in the season with both Roma and Lazio, and also the Champions League final with Benfica, says Palmeri and continues:
– But the thing was that he was never the favorite to win. He was always the underdog. It is strange that you can say something like that when you are constantly competing for titles with smaller clubs.
READ MORE: David Beckham’s beautiful tribute to the late Sven-Göran Eriksson hits right in the heart of everyone: “Your last words to me”
Svennis coached Roma, Sampdoria, Fiorentina and Lazio. With the first two, Eriksson had to “make do” with cup titles. But in Lazio everything changed.
“He is the greatest”
In the 1999/00 season, he won the league with the Romklubben.
– Then everything turned around. He played incredible football, he had built a fantastic squad. Everything he had achieved in Italy… He became huge, says Palmeri.
– And there were always other great coaches, so he was far from alone. But Svennis was the one who really was always the face of beautiful football.
When asked if Svennis is the greatest coach in the club’s history, Palmeri answers quickly:
– Absolutely. He is the greatest. What he did with Lazio has never happened before. Nothing has even come close.
Rest in peace, Sven-Göran! 🌹
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